The crop damage on the Parley Court Estate in Dorset.
Stunned staff on the Parley Court Estate in Dorset are trying to work out how a large area of a maize became damaged.
The flattened crop was discovered in a field know as 18 Acres which is close to the estate’s equestrian and golf centres opposite Bournemouth Airport.
The crop damage on the Parley Court Estate in Dorset.
The irregular pattern is unlike the more typical crop circles, and localised weather events and damage from an aeroplane seem unlikely causes.
To explore the phenomenon closer, golf centre manager Daryl Dampney flew his drone over the field and saw the scale of the damage, which covers an area of about 100 square feet.
The crop damage on the Parley Court Estate in Dorset. Golf centre manager Daryl Dampney flies his drone over the damage.
He now believes the most likely explanation is that it was made by people playing Pokemon Go.
The game uses a smartphone’s GPS location and real-world maps to bring computer games into the outdoors.
Players are able to move around and collect free items in the game. And staff believe a Pokemon character was hiding among the maize.
Daryl said: “One of the people who works in the stables found the maize damaged so we went and had a look ourselves. It was all very odd.
“The damage is quite linear and not like a circle and we didn’t know what had caused it. We’ve never had anything like it before.
“I was able to fly the drone over the field because it is far away enough from the airport.
“There doesn’t appear to be any particular shape or pattern, so assuming it was made by people rather than aliens we wondered why someone would do it.
“I’m told that there have been Pokemon characters on the estate so it’s possible that someone damaged the crop while playing the game.”
The crop damage on the Parley Court Estate in Dorset. Daryl Dampney, manager of Parley Golf Centre, and Jane Wyatt, manager of the Parley Equestrian Centre.
Crop circles have grown in number since the early 1980s, with many believing they are caused by aliens or some sort of paranormal activity.
However, in 1991 two hoaxers, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, took credit for having created many circles throughout England after one of their circles was described by a circle investigator as impossible to be made by human hand.
Notes to editors:
Parley Golf Centre in Dorset is set within a beautiful 800 acre farming estate next to the River Stour close to Bournemouth Airport.
It is home to the 17th century Parley Manor and to Parley Equestrian Centre. Wildlife includes roe deer, badgers, foxes and a pair of rare Grey Partridges. And you are likely to see a family of alpacas roaming around too!
Parley Golf Centre opened in 1991 as a six-hole course, but quickly expanded to nine holes and a 27-bay, floodlit driving range was added.
Currently the site is being transformed into a centre of excellence (which does not affect the course). When completed it will be twice its current size.
The nine-hole course is being rebuilt with carefully configured tees allowing for a round of 18 with a total distance of 5,111 yards.
Indoors will be further putting facilities as well as other innovations to accompany the popular café/bar.
There will be a private room with a driving bay that will include seating and will be available for hire and for business meetings.
Head greenkeeper Ian Noble is assisted by Mark Gregory and John Morey.
Resident professionals include Chris Brook, Marcus Urbye, and Peter Thompson.
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
